Lead Attorney - Removal Defense

Job Description

Job Description

Summary

A growing mid-sized immigration law firm is seeking a bilingual English/Spanish Removal Defense Attorney to handle complex immigration matters while providing mentorship and substantive leadership to a team of attorneys.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in removal defense, immigration litigation, legal writing, case strategy, and courtroom advocacy, along with the ability to mentor less-experienced attorneys and help maintain high standards across a defense practice.

This is a quality-focused role, involving complex and high-stakes cases rather than a high-volume caseload.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage sophisticated removal defense matters involving significant consequences for clients and their families.

- Represent clients in:

- Individual hearings

- Master Calendar Hearings

- Bond proceedings

- BIA appeals

- Draft and argue complex motions, briefs, appeals, and other legal filings.

- Develop compelling legal theories and case strategies.

- Prepare clients and witnesses for hearings and other proceedings.

- Take primary responsibility for particularly complex or high-risk matters.

- Mentor and supervise approximately 1-2 removal defense attorneys.

- Provide substantive feedback regarding legal writing, case strategy, and hearing preparation.

- Coach attorneys on advocacy, case preparation, and courtroom effectiveness.

- Coordinate contract or coverage attorneys and ensure consistent quality of representation.

- Serve as a resource regarding complex immigration issues, including criminal bars, discretionary concerns, and procedural challenges.

- Assist with urgent filings and time-sensitive legal matters.

- Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and case outcomes.

- Work with leadership to strengthen the firm's removal defense program.

Qualifications

- J.D. from an accredited law school.

- Active admission to a U.S. state bar; Arizona admission is highly relevant.

- Strong experience handling removal defense and immigration litigation.

- Experience appearing before Immigration Court and preferably the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

- Strong legal research and writing skills.

- Demonstrated ability to handle complex, high-stakes cases.

- Experience drafting and arguing motions, briefs, and appellate filings.

- Strong courtroom advocacy and hearing preparation skills.

- Ability to develop sophisticated case theories and litigation strategies.

- Prior mentoring, supervision, or attorney leadership experience preferred.

- Excellent judgment and ability to work under pressure.

- Strong commitment to immigrant defense and client-centered advocacy.

- Bilingual English/Spanish required.

Compensation & Benefits

• depending on experience

• Paid time off

• Paid holidays

• Comprehensive health insurance

• 401(k) with company match

Protouch Staffing is a trusted staffing partner specializing in connecting skilled professionals with top employers. While we originally focused on healthcare staffing, we’ve expanded into legal and other domains to meet evolving workforce needs across industries.

Company Description

Protouch Staffing is a trusted staffing partner specializing in connecting skilled professionals with top employers. While we originally focused on healthcare staffing, we’ve expanded into legal and other domains to meet evolving workforce needs across industries.